Dental procedure cost estimator

What does a filling, crown, root canal, or extraction really cost — with or without insurance? Get a realistic ballpark from verified price data before you call an office.

Dental prices are famously hard to pin down: the same filling can cost $90 at one office and $300 at another, and a crown can range from $800 to $3,000 depending on the material. That uncertainty keeps people from booking care they need — which is exactly how a $150 cavity becomes a $2,000 problem.

This estimator gives you a realistic ballpark before you call any office. Pick a procedure and your coverage situation, and it returns the typical price range we publish across our dental cost guides and the verified price listings on our city pages — plus what your out-of-pocket share usually looks like if you have dental insurance or a dental discount plan.

A few ground rules before you use it. These are typical ranges, not quotes: your actual price depends on your city, the provider type (private office, community health center, or dental school), and the complexity of the case. Insurance coverage varies by plan — preventive care is typically covered near 100%, basic work at 50–80%, and major work at around 50%, with annual maximums of $1,000–2,000. Discount plans don’t pay anything; they give you 10–60% off the standard price at participating dentists for an $80–200 annual membership.

All ranges below come from this site’s own published price data — as reported from provider listings and our guides. Confirm with the provider before booking. This tool provides cost information only; it is not medical or dental advice and cannot diagnose anything.

Tooth filling — No insurance

Estimated out-of-pocket

$90–$300 per tooth

Amalgam (silver) fillings typically run $90–$200; composite (tooth-colored) $135–$300 per tooth. Larger cavities involving more surfaces cost more.

Without insurance: full cash price. Community health centers (sliding-scale fees) and dental schools often charge far less.

Full filling costs guide →

Estimates reflect typical price ranges reported in our guides and provider listings — as reported from provider listings; confirm with the provider before booking.

Information only — not medical advice. This tool provides dental cost estimates for general information only. It is not medical or dental advice, and nothing here diagnoses a condition or recommends treatment. Always consult a licensed dentist about your own situation.

Common questions

Are these prices guaranteed?
No. These are typical price ranges published in our guides and provider listings — the actual price depends on your city, the provider, and the complexity of the case. Always get a written quote from the office before booking.
Why is the price range so wide?
Dental prices vary with location, provider type (private office vs. community health center vs. dental school), materials used, and case complexity. A filling at a community clinic can cost a fraction of the same filling at a private practice.
How much does dental insurance usually cover?
Most plans cover preventive care (cleanings, exams) at or near 100%, basic work (fillings, simple extractions) at 50–80%, and major work (crowns, root canals, dentures) at around 50%. The catch: most plans cap what they’ll pay at $1,000–2,000 per year, and many have waiting periods of 3–12 months for major work.
How is a dental discount plan different from insurance?
A discount plan isn’t insurance — it pays nothing. You pay an annual membership (typically $80–200) for pre-negotiated prices, usually 10–60% below standard rates, at participating dentists. There are no waiting periods, no claims, and no annual caps, and it applies to major work immediately.
Where can I pay less than these ranges?
Community health centers charge on a sliding scale based on income, and dental schools (including dental hygiene schools for cleanings, sometimes under $50) typically charge far below private-practice prices. See our guides on FQHC dental clinics and dental schools for details.
Does Medicaid cover these procedures?
It depends on your state — adult dental coverage varies widely, from comprehensive coverage to emergency-only. See our Medicaid dental basics guide and your state’s page for specifics.
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